Getting That Second Wind Series

In the text we read at the beginning of the service in 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah behaving very much out of character. He is a courageous man of God. But there he is in

in verse 4 slumped down under a broom tree in the dessert. And what does he have to say to God? He prayed that he might die. He says to God, “I have had enough, LORD.” Have you ever told God, “I have had enough”? I heard about one worn out servant who told the Lord, “It’s no wonder to me, LORD, that You have so few friends, the way You treat the ones You have.”[8] The man was simply expressing what he felt inside. During my years of ministry there have been some times when I’ve told the LORD, “I have had enough—I can’t take any more of this opportunity to serve.”

When we get in that condition it’s time to catch a second wind, amen? This does not sound like the man we see in the previous chapter at Mt. Carmel. Is this the man who challenged that wicked King Ahab? Is this the man who challenged the prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven? Is this the man of God who courageously called all of Israel to repentance?

How did such a man as Elijah get into such a discouraged, depressed state of mind?

1st He was physically exhausted.

He had quite a day on Mt. Carmel. There he rebuilt the altar of the Lord. It was not sitting there ready for him. It was broken down. That’s usually the way ministry is. We are prone to want ministry handed to us on a silver platter. But it’s usually setting there in pile of rubble waiting for us to go to work. God sent the fire. But Elijah had to rebuild the altar. That’s what these spiritual disciples we have discussed during the last few weeks are all about. Killing over 450 false prophets with the sword had to take some energy as well.

There was a lot of confrontation there on Mt. Carmel. Have you noticed how draining confrontation is? Elijah not only confronted the false prophets he also confronted the people of Israel. 1 Kings 18:21 “Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."

He had also finished a 14 mile footrace with King Ahab’s horses and won. Obviously that could not be done without the anointing of God. 1 Kings 18:46 says “…the hand of the Lord came upon him.” That’s how he did it. But those who have operated in the anointing know that when the task is done we are often thoroughly exhausted.

We are not just spiritual beings. We are primarily spiritual beings; but we are also in a physical body. And sometimes our discouragement—our state of mind is due to simply being fatigued. That was not the whole story here for Elijah but no doubt it was a factor.

2nd Elijah felt alone. He mentions that in verses 10 and 14 of our text. Loneliness can contribute to a state of despair. We need the support and encouragement of others. And when we feel isolated—when we feel like no one understands—especially when we feel rejected then we can lose our passion for ministry.